The Archer Queen

by Blake, Nova

  My mind wandered, taking in those around us, the whirling colors of clothing and hair, the beat of the music pulsing through the floor and up my legs, making my skin tingle and my heart thrum.

  The rhythm slowed a little and Valko twirled me, then twirled me again, releasing my hand as he did. Another took its place, and then I was face to face with Thomas, one hand in mine, the other in the curve of my back.

  "Hi," he said, those deep brown eyes drawing me in.

  "Hey." I moved him into the crowd, determined not to act surprised at his taking over from Valko. Normally, those on the edges did not switch, but here we were.

  Thomas kept me on the fringes, masterfully thwarting my attempts to take us towards the dancers who changed partners.

  It wasn't that I didn't like dancing with him. I did. A little too much. His arms were strong and his steps were sure, and the way it felt to be pressed against his body make me ache for more. But I couldn't. I didn't want to ruin our friendship and I wasn't ready to settle down. I needed to be free, to explore the world and other men.

  He let go of my back and spun me in time to the music.

  "You look gorgeous, by the way," he said softly as he turned me into his body, my back against his chest, our arms locked against mine.

  "Thanks," I said. "I know." It wasn't arrogance, just truth. I was attractive, had my fair share of suitors. But also, I didn't want to lend more weight to his words. Didn't want them to mean more than a casual compliment. Something anyone might say.

  He spun me again so that at the end of the turn we were face to face, moving again with the rest of the dancers, around and around the circle. I kept trying to draw him deeper, he kept leading me back to the edge.

  "Just let me keep you to myself for a little longer," he said against my hair. His breath tickled my neck and I had to stop myself from shivering at the sensation. My body would betray me. It was betraying me as it leaned in closer to him, felt his lips graze my cheek. My hand gripped his shoulder tighter, drew him in, and I turned, my green eyes locking with his brown, the colors of nature, and yet there was fire in his gaze and fire in my belly and before I knew what I was doing I kissed him, mouth open, his lips pressing against mine, tongues searching, discovering, tasting for the first time.

  Our feet had stopped moving, but not our hands, our mouths, until a physical jolt broke our kiss. I stepped back as the couple who had danced into us apologized, their words barely audible beneath the thud of my heart in my ears. My fingers went to my lips and I couldn't make myself look Thomas in the eyes, afraid of what I might see there as I turned and ran from the dance floor.

  What had just happened? I'd only had one glass of wine so I couldn't blame it on the alcohol. Wouldn't. My body had relaxed, and I'd been free and happy and he'd felt so good. And there was nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong at all with enjoying someones company, with wanting to kiss or touch.

  And yet… It was Thomas. And he mattered to me more than I wanted to admit and I was afraid that if I fell into what I knew I could have with him I would just stay here in this one court and never see more of the world, never see more of Terebellum.

  The music faded as I moved away from the courtyard, pushed through the doors and back to the hallways inside, cool and calm compared to the fervor of the soiree outside. For a second I thought I heard someone call my name and I glanced over my shoulder to check. My foot collided with something solid and I tripped forward, reached out to try and catch myself before I could even see what had caused it. Firm hands gripped me, helped me to find my balance again. I looked down to see one set of gnarled fingers around my left forearm. The grip was tight and it flared with surprising heat.

  My gaze followed the hand up the arm until I saw the face of the man who had caught me.

  "Thank you. I thought…" I glanced back over my shoulder again, but there was no one else there.

  "Never mind," he said, his voice clearer, firmer than I expected it to be from the lines on his face. His eyes were as dark as midnight and they sparkled as he smiled at me. "You look like you were going somewhere in a hurry."

  "I… Yes. I just—" I bit off my sentence. "I'm sorry for bumping into you."

  "I will accept your apology on one condition."

  I raised an eyebrow, wondering where this was going.

  "You must return to the celebration. I hear the Herald is going to speak soon."

  "Really?" I stood a little taller, bouncing on my tip toes. It was such a childish response, but I didn't want to miss this.

  "Yes, hurry along now." He tipped his head back towards the doors I'd just come through.

  "Thank you," I said, taking my arm back from his grip. I'd barely noticed he was still holding my arm, and now my fingers scratched along it, a tingle moving across my skin. The thick bronze cuff at my wrist jangled against the beads of my other bracelet with the movement. I was about to head off when I stopped, remembering my manners. "Sorry, I forgot to ask, what is your name? I don't think we've met before."

  "I'm just a traveler," he said. "The name is Zodi. It's a pleasure to meet you…"

  "Jaelyn K'var," I replied, ducking my head towards him. "Enjoy your time here, Zodi," I added, and then spun on my toes and headed back to the main courtyard.

  It was time.

  My skin tingled at the thought of what he might be like, what he might say. Surely there would be some message for our people along with the revelation of the Mark. Princess Anya could take up the throne, the True Queen in her rightful place. The land would return to its former glory and our people would thrive once more.

  * * *

  Everyone had moved towards the large stage off to the far side of the courtyard by the time I'd made my way back outdoors. The royal family were already seated on the dais and as I joined the crowd twin trumpeters blared their horns, calling down silence. A hush fell over the space and then the queen stood and made her way to the front of the stage.

  In Terebellum, the royal family were those left behind by the ascended queen. Once she passed, her daughter or niece took over the throne, and in recent years they'd split the courts between them. The eldest daughter had remained here and so Anya was clearly the most obvious choice for the role of True Queen.

  "Do you think the Herald will go to the other courts too?" someone asked. I couldn't see who had posed the question, but several people shushed them, hoping to drown out even the suggestion of competition, not that Anya could have heard it from there.

  A gong rang out across the space, quietening the crowd. And then the queen stepped forward, her long blonde hair plaited behind her.

  "We welcome the Herald to our bountiful home, in this, the thirteenth year of the Dawning!"

  A cheer lifted from the throng, all our voices rising together into the darkening sky. A few stars were beginning to twinkle in the deep blue above and the air was starting to cool as the sun sank lower. For a moment, I wished I'd thought to bring a shawl, but then the queen was speaking again, drawing my attention back to the stage.

  "The time has finally come for our great queendom to thrive again, for our vines to be heavier with harvest, fat with flavorful fruits in our lands, and bountiful catches from the seas to the south. Please, stomp your feet for the Herald. Show him how excited we are for his arrival."

  I stomped against the ground like a horse at trot, along with hundreds, thousands of other feet in the courtyard, in the balconies. I was even sure that those inside would hear and that the hoof stomp of our people would race out the castle gates and throughout the town. That the very land we stood on would tremble with our greeting.

  It was times like these, swept into the herd, that I loved our people the most. The wild exhilaration that came from belonging, from being one of many, all galloping towards the same cause.

  A man stepped forward then and raised both of his arms and my feet froze, the breath leaving me all at once. It was Zodi, the man I'd practically bowled over in the hallway inside. Oh, he was sly. I co
uldn't help but grin and shake my head. I'd never for a second thought that he might have been the Herald, he had been so down to earth, so…

  Thank Chiron I'd used my manners because I had just about knocked the Herald over. My blood ran cold to think about what might have happened if I'd harmed him, the way the queen and princess would have punished me for my clumsiness had anything happened.

  I could have cursed our lands, cursed our people. Perhaps to hundreds of years of chaos if I had.

  Another cheer lifted from the crowd and I realized I'd missed a portion of his speech. Tonight was not my night. Perhaps I should have stayed in my room, despite this being compulsory attendance.

  "Come on, Jae," I muttered to myself. "Get out of your head."

  The person in front of me shot a glare over his shoulder and I held a hand up in silent apology.

  "Times have been hard, I know, but the Dawning is here and the time of the Hunt is now. The True Queen will rise and the lands will be restored, and the magic with it. When she has come into her full power, her presence is all that will be required to maintain balance in Terebellum. If she is worthy, you will all be rewarded." He clapped his hands together and the sound rippled out through the courtyard.

  I'd thought it was quiet before, but it was still now, as though we were all holding our breaths, waiting for the next thing to happen. Slowly he drew his hands apart. Tension grew in the audience as we all watched, waiting, and when he slapped his palms together again flames erupted from the ground, spurting up in reds and oranges and yellows.

  And when they simmered down, he was gone.

  The crowd roared to life again, hooting and clapping and stomping as if that was the greatest feat of magic they had ever seen. I clapped along with them, wondering whether it was true magic or simply sleight of hand. And yet, he was the Herald.

  Wasn't he?

  Or was he just an old man who had duped a nation?

  Princess Anya rose then, lifting her hands out to the sides, palms towards us. The crowd shushed as she stood there, a beacon of light in her bright yellow dress, her blonde hair a tumble of waves down her back and around her face. Even once there was silence, she still held the pose, her chest rising and falling slowly as she breathed, tranquil.

  "You need wait no longer," she said. Her voice rang out across the courtyard. She'd had years of practice in this, knew how to make her voice carry no matter how large the space, knew exactly what pitch to make her voice to make everyone yearn for more. She moved her arms then, drew the long sleeve of her left arm up and then raised it in the air for all to see.

  An arrow. Etched against the skin of her inner forearm.

  One of the symbols of our gods, the God Mark. The Mark of the True Queen.

  The sudden mass intake of breath felt like it sucked all the air from the room. My whole body tingled in response and then everyone around me let up a great cheer and the band roared to life. People paired off around me, a hand grazed my hip, an invitation to dance, and then a burning itch at my own left forearm made me stare down.

  At an arrow. Etched against my skin.

  No.

  It couldn't be.

  I froze for just a second, and then I shoved the bronze cuff up my arm, trying to conceal the Mark and when that didn't work, pressed my arm hard against my side.

  This couldn't be happening. Not to me. I wouldn't wish it on anyone let alone myself.

  "Jaelyn!" It was Valko I thought, or someone else. Everything sounded like my ears were filled with water and I pushed my way through the throng of bodies with my right arm, keeping my left jammed against my body, cradling my stomach with it now as though I was feeling ill.

  I couldn't breathe. Not here. Not in this place. Not with her there on the stage. I was sure she was looking at me. Sure she knew.

  This couldn't be happening. I didn't want to have been Marked too.

  3

  Jaelyn

  I'd barely managed to sleep last night, though I had managed to wear a hole in the rug on my floor. No matter how much I scrubbed and scratched at my arm the Mark there could not be moved. I'd even taken to it with a small knife, but all I'd done was made myself bleed.

  I was stuck with it. And the only person who could help me was the Herald.

  As soon as the sun was up, I left my room. Long sleeves covered my arms, I wore long leggings too, and my boots in case I needed to kick someone to give me information. My gut feeling was that the Herald wouldn't stick around for long – there was even the chance he'd left the castle already. But on the other hand, the royal family might have convinced him to stay; maybe he was the type to linger and make the most of the treatment.

  I mean, where did he go when he wasn't heralding?

  It didn't matter now. I brushed the thought away and refocused, heading to the kitchen. They would know if he'd been served already, and failing all else I could grab some fruit to settle my stomach.

  The smell of freshly baked bread hit my nostrils before I even stepped through the open door. Mayla was there with her apron on, flour dusting her hands and cheek as well.

  "You're up early. Thought you had the day off?" She narrowed her eyes at me.

  "Hmm," I murmured, tapping my lip. "You must have been dancing with Valko last night to know that." Mayla blushed and I couldn't help but giggle. "You did! You know he's been making eyes at you for months now." I stepped around her and ran my eyes over the fresh bread rolls, then snagged one, narrowly avoiding a slap on the wrist.

  "You can only have that if you don't tease me. You know I like to take things slowly."

  "Glacially. Anyone would think you lived at the very top of our mountains." I bit into the steaming bun, the yeast and salt making my mouth water. The only thing that would make it better was butter, but I didn't have time for that. "Have you fed the Herald yet?"

  "What?" Mayla's head snapped up towards me.

  "The Herald. Is he still here?"

  She shook her head, brow furrowing even further. "What business do you have with the Herald?"

  "Mayla," I said, stepping closer to her. "Just answer the question, please."

  Concern tinged her green eyes. "No, child. I haven't seen him myself, but I know a servant came and took a plate for him earlier. I—"

  I kissed her cheek and headed for the door. "Thank you!" I tossed over my shoulder.

  "Jaelyn!" she called after me, but I was gone, walking briskly down the hallway because it wasn't seemly to run here and I didn't want to draw any attention to myself. I wended through the back corridors on the way to the servants dining room, then let myself in.

  "Who was serving the Herald?" I asked, glancing around at the staff who were eating breakfast.

  "Brodrick was taking care—"

  "And, where is he?" I planted my hands on my hips, then realized how I must be coming across. "I'm sorry, I know this is rude, but I have a very important message to convey. Can you please help me?"

  "I think he was taking a parcel of food to the stables, last I heard." The woman glanced at the man beside her who nodded.

  "Thank you," I said, relieved to be making progress. I opened the door and stepped through, hearing one of the servants ask why I was delivering messages. I was a hunter, right?

  I was, but at least I knew where to go next. I hid from other hunters who were heading in for food, and then slipped out the back door and down to the stables, narrowly avoiding Valko in the process. I smiled as I hid though, pleased that he'd at least got to dance with Mayla, even if she wasn't ready for more yet. He'd win her over. He was a patient man.

  I stepped into the stables, the scent of hay and horse filling my nostrils. A bay mare whinnied as one of the stable boys brushed her down. Stepping up to the stall I leaned over and stroked her nose. I'd always loved horses, but I didn't often get the chance to ride. Well, not as much as I'd like.

  "Hey, have you seen Brodrick? Or the Herald?" I asked the stable boy, Johnny, I thought his name was.

  "Brodrick
was here, and the Herald left not that long ago," he said as he turned towards me. As a whole, our people were not deceptive, and there was no reason not to tell me.

  "Thank you," I said. "Was he heading for the main gate?"

  Johnny frowned in thought and the mare turned her head towards him, nudging him gently to get him brushing her coat again. His hand started moving, and then he glanced back up to me. "I think he was going to use the smaller gate. Something about avoiding a fanfare."

  I nodded and turned away, tossing a thanks over my shoulder as I went. Not long ago meant there was a chance I could catch him. I didn't have a horse to canter through the town so I ran up a set of stairs and leaped across rooftops, avoiding the increasing number of people on the streets below until I hit the place where a ladder led up to the top of the wall. I ran along it, arms out to balance, ignoring the occasional raised voice from below, no doubt telling me to get down and stop being foolish.

  But I had to get to him. Had to make him see that this wasn't right, that I would surely die if he didn't remove the Mark. He'd seemed nice enough when I'd barged into him. I just had to hope that he could do this for me.

  If it could be done.

  I made it to the small gate in just a few minutes and used the height of the wall to peer out. There was a horse on the path, moving sedately, and it might have been the Herald riding it. I couldn't tell from there. With a deep breath I shook out my body to loosen my limbs and leapt into the air, reaching out to grab a branch. My fingers tightened around the rough bark. I ignored the sting of scraped skin and shimmied down the branch to the trunk before climbing lower and jumping to the ground.

  And then I was off. Feet pounding against the firm dirt of the well-worn track. I was thankful for years of training that allowed me to move this quickly, because as I rounded a bend the horse came into view.

  "Zodi!" I shouted. "Wait!"

  The horse didn't stop, but it didn't increase its speed either. Another minute and I was alongside it. Despite the respect I knew I should show, I reached out and grabbed the closest rein, pulling the horse’s head towards me. It came to a stop and the man threw back his hood and peered down at me.